Workers swarm a Bavarian tower at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Corpus Christi, striving to complete it by a Sept. 30 deadline. Photo by Suzanne Freeman
Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi will be fully operational by the time it reopens Spring Break, March 2016, said Amy Gazin, marketing and public relations director for the waterpark. Gavin spoke to a meeting of the Southside Business Council, one of many Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce committees. The council represents the interests of Corpus Christi’s Southside business corridor.
A group of about 30 people gathered at the Veranda, Schlitterbahn’s public restaurant, to see for themselves how construction is coming along. The waterpark has been plagued by delays over the last two years, which has threatened $5 million in incentives promised by the city.
Council members granted the waterpark an extension of its first deadline from Feb. 24 to Sept. 30. If the tower that rises above the main entrance to the park is not completed by that time, Schlitterbahn could lose $2.5 million in city Type-A grants. The park has already received the first of two $2.5 million payments from the city.
Gazin promised that the workers swarming over the tower as the meeting continued, would be gone and the tower complete by deadline.
“We’ve had some hiccups, for sure,” Gazin said of a string of delayed grand openings in the summer of 2014. “But perseverance is a wonderful calling, something owner Jeff Henry has plenty of.”
The current waterpark season comes to a close on Sunday, Sept. 20. When the park reopens for spring break, all rides will be operational and 40 of the planned 92 resort rooms will be available.
“Our second floor will be completed and it will not disappoint,” Gazin said. The remaining two floors won’t be done until December 2016. Each floor will include conference rooms for meetings, weddings and any other large event.
When the park reopens, it will employ 107 lifeguards a day, seven days a week, most of which are high school and college students.
“We deal with a young, seasonal staff,” Gazin said. “That’s why we are only fully operational four months a year.”
Schlitterbahn offers more than tickets for daily and season passes, Gazin said. She passed out information about how to become a resort member, which grants year-round access to Bob’s Cabana Bar and heated pool, tennis courts, a golf course and eventually full-service spa and exercise rooms as well as a state-of-the-art game room. Members will also have access to a private bar and dining room on the second floor.
The Veranda Restaurant on the first floor is open to the public and due for some changes, she continued. Soon to be renamed Shrimp House, Too — a sister to the Shrimp House in Galveston — it will boast an updated menu and better service, Gazin promised.
“We’ve had some hiccups in the restaurant, too,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to improve the menu and the quality of service, and I think you will be pleased with the results.”
The Veranda is open seven days a week and available for group meetings. She also noted in closing that Schlitterbahn’s Freedom Stage — big enough to rival the stage at Concrete Street Amphitheater — will be utilized for an all-day concert on Saturday, Oct. 3 during Bike Fest.
“I can’t tell you who will be here, it’s top secret for now,” she said. “But it’s going to be spectacular.”
